denio



(No ModeL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. L. DENIO.

ELBGTRIGSIGNALING APPARATUS.

Patented J 1y 12, 1892.

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(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2. W. L.. DENIO. ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS.

atented July '12, 1892.

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iiiiiiiiiiiiiii U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. DENIO, OF ROCHESTER, NEIV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE STANDARD ELECTRIC SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SAME PLA OE.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No- 478,789, dated July 12, 1892.

Application filed December 8, 1891. $erial No. 414,371- (No model.)

T at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that l, IVILLIAM L. DENIO, of Rochester, in theconnty of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Electric Signaling Apparatus and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the drawings accompanying this specification.

My improvement relates to electrical signaling apparatus specially applicable to firealarm systems, and comprehends in its application two main circuits, one leading from a I5 central station to the building to be protected, the other to the fire department; also, several sub-circuits and shunts for the proper operation of the apparatus. The arrangement is such that in case of fire the number of the building or station where the fire is located is registered atthe central station, the alarm is sounded and the number given at the fire department, and a return-signal is automatically sent back to the building or the locality of the fire, showing that the alarm has been given at the fire department. Furthermore, in case of the breakage of a wire or other disarrangement in the circuit instead of fire the signal is given and recorded at the central station without alarming the fire department. The fire-alarm apparatus is operated through the instrumentality of thermostats interposed in the wires of the building or sub-station, as hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagram showing the general arrangement of the system. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of one of the thermostats. Figs. 3 and 4c are enlarged side elevations of the magnets J and I and their 0 connecting parts, showing the devices for releasing the signaling mechanism. Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of the registering mechanism at the central station. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the devices for releasing the registering mechanism.

In this invention thermostats like that shown in Fig. 2 are interposed in the servicewires that lead through the building or other station to be protected. Each of these ther- 5 mostats consists of an insulator a, with two screws or other electrodes 0 b passing through the same, to which the main wires are attached. To one of these screws is attached a fixed thimble 0, over which slides a movable thimble 0, attached to the fixed thimble by solder fusible at any given temperaturesay 150 Fahrenheit, or thereabout. A coiled spring (I is interposed between the thimbles, which tends to throw the outer thimble off. In case of fire the solder is fused at the given temperature and the outer thimble is thrown off by the spring. fis a metallic spring forming a conductor attached to the opposite electrode and bearing against the side of the outer thimble 0. By this means the circuit is made from one main wire to the other through the thermostat.

g is ashoulder formed at the top of the movable thimble, preferably made of rubber or other insulating material. This shoulder, striking the end of spring f, breaks the circuit at the moment-the outer thimble is thrown oif; but when the thimble is off thespring springs back, touching the inner fixed thimble, and re-establishes the circuit again. The 7 sliding of the outer thimble over the inner one cleans the surface of the latter, so that the contact of the spring is always certain. This momentary breaking of the circuit is the means by which the signaling apparatus is set in motion.

The thermostat will be the subject of another application for patent.

In the drawings, A indicates the central station, 13 the building or other locality to be 8 guarded, (which I denominate the sub-station,) and C the fire department or an engine-house. These stations may be at any distance apart.

h is a battery or other electric generator, with which is connected the main circuit leading from the central station A to the substation IS. The circuit extends from battery h through wire 1 to binding-post 2, wire 3, and binding-post 4, thence around one side of the 5 switchboard D through the service-wire 5 in the building, thence around another section of the switchboard to and through servicewire 6,including the manual-signaling apparatus E, thence through another section of the switchboard and through service-wire 7, thence through another section of the switchboard to binding-post 8, thence through wire 9 to the metallic base of the signaling apparatus F, through said base to turning arm 10, to spring 11, thence by contact to spring 12, thence along wire 13 to binding-post 14, thence along wire 15, through wire 51, spring 16, through break-wheel z, the metallic base of the return-signaling apparatus G, thence through this base to the wire 17, through relay-magnet 18, through wire 19, through magnet 20, thence through wire 21 to the battery h. This is the normal condition of the closed circuit from the central station to the sub-station or building.

6 is another battery in .the circuit from the central station to the fire department or engine-house. From batteryt'the current passes through wire 23 to contact-spring 24, across and through armature 25, which is aconductor, to contact-spring 26, thence through wire 27 to and through magnet 28, thence through wire 29 to and through the gong O at the enginehouse, and thence through wire 30 to battery 2', completing the circuit. Auxiliary to the circuit just described is a circuit extending from battery 1; through 23 31 to the metallic base I of the magnets 28 for releasing the operating mechanism of the ret-tun-signaling apparatus G, thence up the hinged detent 32 and along the escapement-arm 33, the base of G, through wire 34, through wire 27, magnets 28, wire 29 to gong O, wire 30 to battery 2' completing the circuit. The object of passing this auxiliary circuit through the return-signaling apparatus G is to enable the alarm to be sounded at the fire department, and also send a returnsignal to the building where the fire is located.

In case of fire the operation is as follows: The fusing of the solder on the thermostat where the fire occurs causes the outer thimble of the thermostat to be thrown oif, as before described, and momentarily breaks the circuit through the building. During this momentary interval of time the current passing along wire 1 has to seek a new escape, as the circuitinthebuilding is broken. From binding-post 2 it passes along wire 35, which forms a shunt, to and through a resistance-coil r and through the magnets J, charging the same, thence along wire 36 to spring 37, thence through the swinging arm 10, which is in contact with 37, thence to spring 11, spring 12, and wire 13, where it connects with the remainder of the main circuit leading back to battery 7L. The action of charging the magnetsJreleases the signal mechanism. During this brief interval while the circuit is broken by the fusing of the thermostat the circuit through the building is cutout; but it is reestablished again the moment the new contact of the thermostat is made; but the current does not pass through the service-wires of the building again until metal swing-arm 1.0, after leaving spring 37, comes in contact with another spring 45, which closes a shortcircuit from 45 through wires 46 and 3 to the bindingpost 2, thence through wire 1 to the battery h,

post 14, wire 13, spring 12, spring 11, wire 40,

signal-bell L, wire 39, spring 38, break-wheel n, base F, swinging arm 10 to spring 45. By this means the circuit is maintained between the battery h and the central station when the service-wires in the building are cut out by the action of the thermostat, as before described; but during the brief interval while the circuit was broken the magnet J drew down the armature 70, Fig. 3, and released a hinged detent Z, which fell back and in turn released an escapement-arm m, that holds the operating devices of the signaling mechanism F, allowing said mechanism to operate. The signaling apparatus is similar to an ordinary district movement, consisting of abreak-wheel n, provided with notches in its rim, correspondingin number with the number of the sub-station; also, a contact-spring 38, which rests on the rim. On one side is a shaft carrying the swinging arm 10. The whole movement, including the swinging arm 10, is driven by one set of clockwork in the usual way. At the commencement of the movement of break-wheel n the swinging arm 10 shifts from spring 37 to spring 45 and changes the current, the current then passing from binding-post 2 through wire 3, wire 46, spring 45, base F, break-wheel or, spring 38, wire 39, signal-bell L, (ringing the same,) through wire 40, springs 11 and 12, thence onto the main line. As the breakwheel n revolves the spring 38, striking into the notches of the wheel, alternately opens and closes the circuit. This opening and closing of the circuit alternately demagnetizes and magnetizes the two magnets 18 and 20, which are in the main circuit. The demagnetizing of magnet 18 closes an independent local circuit leading to the registering apparatus M. The local circuit consists of a battery 19, wire 41, leading to and through the magnet g, which operates the perforating-arm 0", wire 42 to and through magnet s, which operates the devices for releasing the movement that operates the registering mechanism, thence through 43 to the armature of magnet 18, thence through the frame of magnet 18, through wire 44 to battery 19, completing the circuit. The opening and closing of this local circuit charges magnet s and releases the driving mechanism of the registering apparatus M. It also alternately magnetizes and demagnetizes the magnet g, which operates the perforator r, that punches the number of the sub-station on the dial to. The first-named operation is performed by the magnet s, Fig. (5, which draws up an armature t, releasing a detent a, which embraces the end of the armature and locks the same, allowing the escapement-arm o to play free in the same manner as the arm 'm of the signal apparatus before described. The registering apparatus is provided with a revolving wheel to, on which rests a paper disk, in which IIO the perforator 1' strikes to punch holes therein to register the number of the sub-station. The magnet is for the purpose of operating an alarm-bell N at the central station through the medium of another independent local circuit 0. The action thus far has been produced by one revolution of the break-wheel n. This break-wheel 01 makes a second revolution and repeats in the same manner-that is, it punches the number of the sub-station on the disk wa second time. To the shaft of wheel to is attached an arm x,which revolves with the wheel. As soon as the first record of the number of the sub-station has been punched on disk to arm m comes in, momentary connection with a contact-point y and makes a new circuit from y through arm 00, through base M, one end of perforating-arm r and its support 19 spring 24, wire 23 to the battery 2', thence through wire 30, engine-gong O, and wires 29 29 to contact-point y, making the complete circuit. The making of the new circuit just described momentarily short-circuits the magnet 28 and demagnetizes the same. This action releases the detent 32 and allows the escapement-arm 33 to play free, and also opens the shunt-circuit which was previously established through arm 33. This releases the driving mechanism of the answerback-signaling apparatus G, which is then setin motion byits clock-work. The instant the arm x leaves the contact-point 11 that circuit is broken and the original circuit through magnet 28 is re-established. The object of breaking said first circuit and re-establishing the second is to release the return-signal mechanism G. This return-signal mechanism has a break-wheel a, similar to the wheel 7t, and against the rim of this break-wheel ,2 rests the contact-spring 16.

a is a circuit-closing insulated wheel, which revolves coincidently with break-wheel z and has on one side a lug b that closes two springs 46 and 47.

c is a tongue attached to the shaft of wheel a revolving with it and during its revolution striking an insulated spring (Z to close a circuit.

During the second revolution of breakwheel at before referred to the action is the same as during the first revolution till the second registry is punched on the disk w. While this is being done, the signal is repeated into the fire department, which was not done on the first revolution. This is done by opening and closing the circuit at 24 and 26 by the movement of the armature up and down. The circuit to the fire department is made from battery 2' through 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and to 11 again. lVhile this action is taking place the break-wheel z and circuit-closing wheel a are both revolving At the end of the second revolution of wheel 7% it comes to a stop, and the swinging arm 10 strikes a contact-spring 0, which is connected bya wire 48 with the wire 35. This makes a new circuit through 35 48, spring 0, swinging ,der these conditions bellP tongue 10, (in contact with 0 at that time,) and into spring 11 by the lugf on the swingingtongne then striking said springll, breaking the circuit between 11 and 12, thence through 40, wire 49, through the alarm-bell P, where it strikes the main circuit at 14. This short-circuits the service-wires in the building. Vhile this is going on the circuitclosing wheel a has turned sufficiently to bring lug Z) in contact with spring 47 and toreing 47 in contact with spring 46, thereby closing a circuit from battery 2' through 23 31 31 46 47 34 27, through magnets 28, and through wires 29 30 to battery 1'. This simply makes an additional circuit from battery 1', and is intended to prevent any alarm being given in the engine-house except by the break-wheel a. The further revolution of wheel a brings tongue 0 in connection with the insulated spring (1 This makes a new circuit, in which the current passes from battery it through wire 21, wire 50 to spring (2 through the arm 0 (then in contact with d2) the shaft of wheel a the base G, the break-wheel .2, spring 16, wire 51 to wire 15, where it connects with the main circuit. This takes out the resistance of the magnets 18 and 20 and throws all the current from the battery h on the signal-bell P, located at the sub station. lVhile the tongue 0 is in contact with spring d and the magnets 18 20 are out of circuit the breakwheel 2 has come into position so that the notches in its rim act upon the spring 16 to alternately openand close the circuit, and this sounds the alarm on gong P, located at the sub-station. The brealnwheelz continues to revolve till the tongue 0 strikes a stop 9 on the break-wheel, when the movement stops, the tongue 0 still remaining in contact with the spring (2 and preserving the circuit. Un-

will continue to ring till a switch h2 is opened to break the circuit. By this arrangement it is impossible to get a signal into the fire department except in case of fire, and when the signal is so given it is sure of being repeated back to the building by sounding an alarm on bell P, showing that the fire department has been notified.

I will now illustrate the action of the apparatus in case of a broken wire instead of fire at the sub-station. In case the wire is broken at the sub-station the current-is permanently cut off from the building and not re-established, as in the case of the thermostat. he action is the same during the first round of the break-wheel n as in case of fire. The revolution of said break-wheel n operates the perforator r and registers the number of the sub-station on the disk to at the central oifice by the means before described; but during the second round of the break wheel at a change takes place. In case of fire the current through the service-wires in the building is only momentarily out Oh. by the action of the thermostat and then re-established; but in case of a broken wire it is permanently cut cit and not re-established. During the first revolution of break wheel n the swinging tongue 10 remains in contact with the curved spring 45 and maintains the circuit; but during the second revolution of said break-wheel the tongue 10 leaves the spring 45, and the whole current of the main line is out off till the tongue n strikes the contact-spring 0, when it is re-established again. Consequently magnets 18 and 20 are demagnetized, the local battery 19 is closed, the magnet q is charged, the perforator r is drawn down permanently and does not vibrate, as in case of fire, and a slit is cut in the paper dial w in place of the second set of perforations, said slit being the indicator of the broken wire. The action of drawing down the armature 25 separates it from the contact-springs 24 and 26. In such case the shunt-current through the returnsignaling mechanism is not broken. Consequently the current through the fire department is not interrupted and no alarm will be sounded at that point.

E is the manual signal. The signal is provided with two springs 51 52, which rest in contact with a connecting-bar 53, which completes the circuit. n is a switch, and consists of an insulated handle located on one side and operating in connection with the springs 51 52 to open the circuit of either. The general object of this signal is to sound a firealarm by hand by opening and then closing the circuit in a manner similar to the thermostat described. The switch passes under the first spring, opens and then closes it again, and then passes under the next and holds it open. The magnet will not be charged and the arm will not be dropped till the break-Wheel n in making its second round has left spring 45, when the short circuit through wire 46 3 is cut out and the circuit is established through the building again. The falling of arm 10 indicates to the operator that the signal has been properly given by the signaling mechanism F.

0 is a chain or other connection attached to the switch-handle n and extending down below the box and resting in a small glass tube 19 attached to the box. In case of fire the glass tube is broken by hand, which releases the chain and enables the same to be drawn down to operate the signal. By this means the necessity of opening the box or of breaking the glass cover to the same is obviated, and it saves expense and trouble, as the glass tube is more easily replaced than the glass cover to the box.

The glass tube 13 is purposely located below the signal-box, by which means, when broken, the fragments of glass are not liable to enter the box and interfere with or disarrange the machinery, which is frequently done when a glass plate lying over the machinery is broken. It also forms a convenient attachment to hold the chain and keep it in position, and by the use of a chain it can be pulled down to operate the signal-box,

but cannot be pushed back, as in the case of a stifi' lever operated by hand, such back movement reversing the signal.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a circuit extending from the central station to the sub-station, a thermostat interposed in the circuit at the sub-station, said thermostat acting to automatically open and then close the circuit, another circuit extending from the central station to the fire department, a signaling mechanism connected with the circuit leading to the sub-station,released and set in motion by the opening and closing of the circuit by the thermostat, a registering mechanism for recording the signal at the central station, a return-si gnalin g mechanism for indicating at the sub-station that the alarm has been sent in to the fire department, and suitable sub-circuits and shunts, whereby the alarm is first sent to the central station, there recorded, then sent to the fire department, and then repeated at the sub-station, as herein shown and described.

2. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a circuit extending from the central station to the sub-station, a signaling mechanism, a shunt connected with the circuit, an electro-magnet for releasing and set.- ting in motion the signaling mechanism, said magnet being connected with the shunt connections of the circuit, whereby the signal mechanism can act upon the main line, a registering mechanism at the central station, an electro-magnet for releasing said registering mechanism, another electro-magnet connected with the main line for operating a local circuit, and a local circuit connecting the lastnamed two magnets, the whole so arranged, as herein described,that the parting or other disarrangement of the wires at the sub-station, whereby the circuit is broken, will be indicated at the central station Without sounding an alarm of fire, as herein shown and described.

3. The signaling mechanism herein described, consisting of the break-wheel n, the spring 38, connecting therewith, the springs 11 and 1?, connecting with the main line, the swinging arm 10, the springs 37 and 45, with which said swinging arm comes in contact, and the stop-spring 0, as shown and described, and for the purpose specified.

4. The return-signal mechanism consisting of the break-wheel z, the spring 16,resting in contact therewith, the circuit-closing wheel M, the springs 46 and 47, the swinging tongue 0 and contact-spring d arranged to operate in the manner and for the purpose specified.

5. The combination, with the registeringwheel w, driven by clock-work, and the escapement-arm o for controlling the same, of the perforating-arm r, the magnet s, armature t, and swinging detcnt u, the .detent swinging inward, locking the armature and IIO mer e 5 holding the same when drawn up to the magand the glass tube 19 attached to the bottom net and releasing the escapement-arln, as of the manual-signal box and inclosing the specified. chain, as shown and described, and for the 6. The manual signal E, consisting of an purpose specified. 5

5 electro-lnagnet and armature; the swinging In Witness whereof I have hereunto signed arm 70 the bar 53, the cross-springs 51 and my name in the presence of two subscribing 52, and the circuit-breaking arm M, as shown Witnesses.

and described, and for the purpose specified. V. L. DENIO.

7. The combination,with the circuit-break- WVitnesses: [0 ing arm n and cross-springs 51 and 52, of the R. F. OSGOOD,

chain 0 attached to the circuit-breaking arm, I. A. COSTICH. 

